Client Pre-Listing Interview: Inspection, Staging & More
Fill out the form below to download our interactive Client Pre-Listing Interview form.
Selling a home is a big decision — and our numbers speak for themselves. With expert marketing and strong negotiation skills, we consistently deliver results that exceed expectations.
Total Sales
Price Range
Average Price
We recognize the decision to sell your home is an important and often stressful one. We have created this guide to answer questions about our team and the home-selling process.
We continuously strive to improve and enhance the experience we provide to our clients, learning and growing with each opportunity. We're ready to put our expertise and specializations to work for your home sale!
We look forward to meeting with you. Thank you in advance for considering our team.
The Luna Moth logo holds a special place in my heart as it was drawn and created by my son, Alex. The Luna Moth stands for the pursuit of knowledge, transformation and new beginnings, which is the perfect visual representation for what we do: making our clients' fresh start in their home buying and selling experience positive and bright.
Our priority is to ensure that our clients receive the highest level of service and market specialization. Our team boasts an outstanding track record in the skills of negotiating, pricing, market knowledge, and client experience.
My brother, Jacques, and I were raised in Charlottesville, watching our mom, Danielle Devereux, provide attentive, thoughtful service to her Central Virginia real estate clients.
This inspired me to join her in 1996, working together as mother and daughter to help countless families with their real estate needs.
Jacques joined our team in 2003. Since then, The Marjorie Adam Team has grown, not just in size, but also in ability. All members of the team play a significant role in your real estate experience.
From the time you sign the listing agreement and up until you celebrate your closing, The Marjorie Adam Team will tirelessly represent you and your best interests. When you work with our team, you can expect far more than what the average real estate agent can provide.
We’re not just your real estate advocates - we’re also your neighbors and soon-to-be friends. For us, going above and beyond means building lifelong relationships, not just closing the sale. This is more than just a job for us. It’s our passion.
When you work with us, you’re not just getting a real estate agent getting an experienced team that goes above and beyond. We set our goals higher than most in the industry because we believe you deserve the best. From the very first step to the moment you close, our top priority is making sure you have the smoothest, most successful selling experience possible. We specialize in what matters most: your best interests. With the Marjorie Adam Team by your side, you can rest easy knowing we'll be fighting for you every step of the way!
THE MARJORIE ADAM TEAM CLOSED
OVER $27,000,000 WORTH OF BUSINESS IN 2023. THAT’S MORE THAN 18 TIMES THE AVERAGE AREA Real Estate Agent. *
*Source: CAAR MLS 2023
On Average, the Marjorie Adam Team Sells 60 Homes Annually
The Average Agent Sells Just 5
Get your money’s worth. It doesn’t cost more to work with the best!
Marjorie is very easy to work with and takes the stress out of buying a new home. I've bought two houses through Marjorie and plan to work with her again in the future!
What could be better than having someone you can trust with expertise and negotiation skills when it comes to purchasing a property? Now looking back, Marjorie and her team had helped us save at least $4,000 in our last purchas...
I can't say enough about Marjorie and her team! They have the knowledge and experience to make the home-buying process fun and hassle-free. As a first-time home buyer, I had all the usual fears and concerns stepping into the ho...
This was my and my husband's first time buying a house, and Marjorie made every step of the process easy and straightforward for us. We are convinced she runs Charlottesville. We could not recommend her more highly.
The experience working with Marjorie was outstanding. She always acted fast, and we were confident she and her team would lead us in the right direction. House tours with Jacques were always a learning experience. We are very h...
Marjorie Adam helped us sell our home of 32 years with great success. She provided valuable recommendations for presenting the house, her photographer did a great job, and the house sold for more than we asked for in the first ...
I highly recommend the Marjorie Adam Team. They made selling and buying a home easy and professional. Even with a difficult seller, they helped navigate the situation with poise and professionalism. They also support the commun...
Marjorie Adam and her team provided excellent service for our first-time home-buying experience. They were knowledgeable about the area and helped with negotiations and closing from a long distance. We highly recommend them for...
Wow, Marjorie Adam's team rocks. I just sold my second house with them, and this team's communication, negotiation skills, and knowledge of the market flat-out impressed me. Loved working with them! Truly Impressed.
The Marjorie Adam Team was professional, knowledgeable, and responsive, and made buying a home a fun experience. They listened to our needs and helped us make the best choice. Our offer was accepted, and we felt supported throu...
The iconic Better Homes and Gardens® brand has been a trusted source for all things home since 1922. It has been an integral part of the American home, shaping and enriching the lives of hundreds of millions of people.
It is a brand people turn to for advice on how to create their own personal sanctuary. A place to enjoy, a place to be themselves, and a place to build their lives the way they want. Today, the BH&G® media brand reaches tens of millions of consumers every day, with 42 million consumers engaging with the brand through the magazine, website, and social platforms.
Print + Digital Readers,
Friends & Fans
More people read BH&G than
live in New York + Texas
#1 Monthly Magazine
1 in 10 Readers is a Millennial
100% Relevant Today
America's Most Trusted Magazine, Decades Running
The 2nd Largest Licensed Brand in the World
Source: MRI-Simmons USA Fall DoubleBase 2023 Report © 2023, MRI-Simmons; 2023 Comscore Multi-Platform © MRI-Simmons (11-21/F23). ©2024 Better Homes and Gardens®, BHGRE® and the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Logo are registered service marks owned by Meredith Operations Corporation and licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with, or related to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC nor any of its affiliated companies. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.
To give your home maximum visibility, I'll use TextBHGRE® to turn traditional yard signs and flyers into lead generators.
Here's why it's powerful:
When buyers drive by your home, they can simply text a property code displayed on the yard sign. Instantly, they'll receive property details, photos, price, and my contact information - all via text. Meanwhile, I'll receive the buyer's name and number, making follow-up quick and personal, helping me connect to the right buyers for your home.
©2024 Better Homes and Gardens®, BHGRE® and the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Logo are registered service marks owned by Meredith Operations Corporation and licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with, or related to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC nor any of its affiliated companies. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.
When you are looking to sell your home, you need a knowledgeable team to help you throughout the process. There are so many moving parts and activities involved in the sale of a home.
Our team focuses on what we do best: getting your home sold as soon as possible and at the best price.
We are excited to work with you, and we will ensure that you are informed, comfortable, and as stress-free as possible throughout the process.
To be prepared for our listing appointment, here are a few tips on how to be prepared for our meeting and what we will discuss.
During our listing consultation, we will:
We know the trends, inventory levels, and market stats. But that’s just the start of it. You can be sure that our team is on top of the current local market conditions and that we know how to price your home to sell!
Our comparative market analysis (CMA) takes the following into account:
YOUR PROPERTY’S FEATURES:
RECENT SALES:
ACTIVE COMPETITION:
MARKET CONDITIONS:
Understanding your home’s value is an essential factor in getting your home sold. By combining our local market expertise with a data-driven approach, our team will work with you to develop a pricing strategy that minimizes your time on the market.
We always recommend a list price that is in line with the current market conditions. It is a process with countless variables. In addition, each potential buyer values your property differently because each property has its own nuances. It is key to have us analyze the most recent data to help you determine the right list price.
THE VALUE OF ACCURATE PRICING
MARKET TIME VERSUS SELLING PRICE:
THE FIVE TOP FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUR HOME'S VALUE:
INTEREST SHOWN IN A HOME
THE FIRST DAYS ON THE MARKET:
HOME CONDITION
In our current market, prospective buyers desire homes that have not only been well-maintained but also have been properly staged to show the space’s potential. We have years of expertise in working with homeowners to prepare their home so that it wows today’s buyers. This also sets us apart from the other Real Estate Agent!
STAGING
To get top dollar for your home, your home needs to be seen at its very best so that it stands out from similar homes in the marketplace. We want you home to distinguish yourself from the competition. Staging a home means having the home shown in its best light - and we take the time to view your home just as a potential buyer will. When you live in your home, you don't always see it the same way as a buyer or Real Estate Agent does. Because a potential buyer will only spend a few minutes in your home, we want to make sure that they remember all the fine details of your home and not just a recollection of your personal items or thoughts about what needs to be done to the home to make it theirs.
When you list with The Marjorie Adam Team, we will walk through your home to see if there are any recommended repairs or work that should be completed before your home hits the market.
We will discuss whether professional contractors or experts should evaluate any, or if a full pre-listing inspection is something to consider. This is just one of the many services that you will receive when you list your home with us.
When a buyer shows interest in your home, we want you to be confident that your home not only looks good on the surface, but also that it is sound within. We recommend knowing, prior to going on the market, that your home’s systems and structure are in proper working order.
Our pre-listing home evaluation or a full home inspection if necessary, prior to going on the market, will guarantee that your home is fit from the peak of the roof to the concrete of the foundation.
We will work with you to understand the systems in your home prior to putting your home on the market to determine what, if anything, needs to be repaired or investigated before your home sells and the buyer's inspection occurs.
Often, home sellers are concerned about what a home inspection will reveal and what the buyers will ask to have repaired or replaced prior to closing. We take that stress away before you go on the market so you can be confident you will not have issues during the inspection period.
When you work with the Marjorie Adam Team, you can rest assured that your home will be promoted effectively and correctly.
The key to any successful real estate marketing strategy is to create maximum exposure - both to potential buyers, as well as their agents. Our marketing plan is built upon a combination of strategies that are based on measurable market trends.
A study by The Wall Street Journal found that homes with great photography:
One of the foundations for our marketing campaigns is professional photography. We know that your home’s first showing is online. Quality photos are vital to help generate excitement about your home.
The internet’s role in real estate is undeniable: The National Association of real estate agents’ studies have shown that 9 out of 10 home buyers used the web in their home search.
Our website, MarjorieAdamTeam.com incorporates Internet Data Exchange (IDX) and syndicates your property listings throughout the internet. IDX listing syndication enables us to broadcast your property to over 50 of the most well-known real estate websites in the world. IDX also allows your home to be shared and displayed on the websites of other local and regional real estate brokerages.
We create a variety of eye-catching social media posts to draw a broader audience to your home. We also rely on our years of experience working with other agents to send targeted emails featuring your home to the agents who we know sell in your area - just another way to keep your home top of mind.
Video creates a great opportunity to educate, inform, and connect with potential buyers for your home. Our videos are well known for their content and clarity. Each shoot is scheduled to allow the time to capture the proper lighting and incorporate the most admirable features of your home. The use of a drone also allows us to give a more bird's-eye view of your property and the surrounding area.
We create a custom trifold brochure of your home that is professionally printed. Each brochure features a selection of photos, property description, and quick-glance details. These brochures are left at your home for potential buyers to take after they visit.
Not all homeowners have copies of their floor plans, yet all buyers ask for them. Our professional photographer generates floor plans of your home with sophisticated software and a camera that scans the spaces and provides dimensions that scan your home from their cameras. Floor plans help potential buyers understand the layout of your home and the way they could potentially use the space.
Once your home is staged, photographed, and listed on the MLS, it is time for buyers to walk through. It’s important for you to be prepared for showings. The buyers need privacy and time in your home, so they need to be alone for viewings with their real estate agent. Most showings take 20-45 minutes, and an appointment will be made in advance.
Showings are scheduled through ShowingTime. ShowingTime is a showing management and feedback service that provides real estate agents a single place to call or use the app to make appointments to view your home. You will stay informed and will be able to confirm appointments by email or text. You will be notified of showings automatically, see feedback from potential buyers, and can view all activity on your home during the sales process.
When you leave your home for showings, don’t forget to turn on the lights, open the blinds, and make sure any alarms are also switched off. It's always good to tidy up any outdoor areas too, such as patios or gardens. Keep the lawn mowed and trim any bushes to keep your home looking neat and inviting.
Once the showing is complete, we will reach out to the buyer’s agent for feedback.
When it comes to tough negotiations, Marjorie is the real estate agent you want on your side. On top of having almost three decades of experience in real estate locally, Marjorie is a real estate coach, coaching real estate agents nationwide. In doing this, she stays ahead of the national trends and issues real estate agents are seeing across the country. With this additional experience, you can be confident that you are working with a real estate agent® who is constantly learning and evolving her skills and knowledge. Given these additional resources, Marjorie will advise you more efficiently than the average Charlottesville real estate agent.
Not all offers are created equally! Upon receipt of the offer on your home, Marjorie will work with you to go through all of the details and all of the variables to consider to prepare our acceptance or counter offer. Obviously price is a major factor, but we also must look at:
A home inspection is a key component of the contingency period in a contract. The inspection is meant for the buyer to learn about a home's structural components, such as the roof, exterior, and foundation, mechanical components, such as the heating, cooling, electric, and plumbing systems, as well as systems such as the appliances, windows, etc., to expertly explain and guide you. It is not meant to go back to ask you to paint, replace carpets or floors to deal with cosmetic issues, or to address every item found in the inspection report.
After the inspection is conducted and the buyer creates a list of repair requests, we will go through the inspection findings with you. We are here to guide you through the list and what repairs to agree to.
During the buyers' inspection period, they will have the option to conduct a radon test. While the action levels established by the EPA are conservative as far as health concerns, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. This test gives a snapshot in time of the levels that exist in the home. If the level comes in above the EPA acceptable limit of 4.0, the buyer will ask you to remediate the radon prior to closing. The average cost of radon mitigation is $1,900, and once mitigated, the level is guaranteed to remain below 4.0 for a period of 10 years.
When a buyer purchases a resale home, they will want to know when the septic tank was last pumped and inspected. In general, if it has been more than 2-3 years, Inspectors recommend that buyers conduct this inspection during the inspection period, at their expense, to avoid unwanted costs for issues buried beneath. The average cost to replace a distribution box for a septic tank, which is the most common issue, is $2,400- $3,200.
Once you have negotiated and signed a contract, our next job is to stay on top of each and every step of the process to ensure your sale closes successfully. There are countless details and loose ends to handle, and you can be confident that we will be as proficient during the post-contract stage as we were during the marketing and showing stage.
We stay on top of all contingency deadlines, and we handle all the essential communication within the transaction. Most importantly, we will continue to keep you informed every step of the way. We want you to have confidence that everything is being taken care of.
As part of the closing process, buyers will complete a final walk-through. This is done to ensure that all repairs and upgrades promised by you are complete prior to signing the papers. During this walk-through, buyers will assess whether items noted on their home inspection report that you agreed to remedy have been repaired to their satisfaction. Additionally, buyers can inspect the home for any changes that may have arisen since they last visited the property.
If there are any unsatisfactory repairs or unfinished projects, buyers may not sign closing documents until all agreed-upon repairs are complete, or they may ask for a credit or escrow for repairs to be completed after closing.
The final walk-through is often done the day before or the morning of closing, and will be attended by the buyers and the buyer’s agent. Buyers use this time to visually inspect each room, paying close attention to appliances, fixtures, carpeting, and wall coverings.
Closing the sale of your home is an exciting time, but it can also be complicated. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, it's important to understand the process and the steps involved in closing on your home.
These closing documents will include a title commitment, which proves that you hold a clear title to the property; deed documents, which transfer legal ownership from you to the buyer; and a closing statement, which outlines all of the financial details related to the sale.
Your closing attorney will handle the closing paperwork. This includes completing any paperwork required in accordance with state law and providing documents to banks or other financial institutions if necessary.
The last step in the process is the signing of closing documents, which occurs at your attorney's office. This includes the buyer and you signing the deed to transfer ownership, as well as any other applicable documents. After that, all that remains is for the funds to be distributed and keys exchanged.
With all of these steps in mind, we will continue to keep you informed and make sure your home sale closes smoothly!
Our Client Courtesy Truck is another example of how we go above and beyond to serve our clients’ needs. By offering the use of our complimentary truck, we help our clients create a smoother home purchase. We help alleviate some of the added stress and expense that can surround the logistics involved in the moving process. When it is time to move locally for closing, our truck can be used in addition to, or instead of a local moving company. Beyond this, you may have some items you need to move into storage, bring to a friend’s house, or donate, and we have our truck that you can use to help accomplish this.
We are very much part of this community and donate from every home purchase and sale. Additionally, we have donated our time as a team to the local food bank and donated to many other charities individually.
Our proven home sale strategy ensures your property attracts the right buyers. We focus on every detail, showcasing your home at its absolute best. We are dedicated to guiding you every step of the way. Partner with us for a seamless selling experience!
-THE MARJORIE ADAM TEAM
Fill out the form below to download our interactive Client Pre-Listing Interview form.
Our proven home sale strategy is guaranteed to attract the right buyers for your home. The details absolutely matter to us, and when you partner with our team to list your home, we take every measure to ensure it is prepared and presented to its fullest potential.
We’re not just your real estate advocates - we’re also your neighbors and soon-to-be friends. For us, going above and beyond means building lifelong relationships, not just closing the sale. This is more than just a job for us. It’s our passion.
